Libby dropping appeal of perjury conviction in CIA leak case

[JURIST] A defense lawyer for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby [defense website; JURIST news archive] said Monday that the former vice presidential chief of staff will drop his appeal of his conviction [JURIST reports] in the CIA leak case [JURIST news archive]. Libby was convicted in March of perjury and obstruction of justice in connection to the investigation into the leak of former undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison [JURIST report] and ordered to pay a $250,000 fine. US President George W. Bush commuted Libby's prison sentence [JURIST report] in July, noting that the jury sentence was "excessive." Libby is still required to pay the fine and is also subject to two years of probation.

In announcing Libby's decision to drop his appeal, defense lawyer Theodore Wells cited the burden on Libby and his family, as a successful appeal would lead to a retrial. Wells said he did not know whether Bush would grant a full presidential pardon for Libby, though Bush has previously said that he may pardon Libby [JURIST report] before he leaves office. AP has more.

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